Semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

A packaged electronic device includes a substrate comprising a die pad and a lead spaced apart from the die. An electronic device is attached to the die pad top side. A conductive clip is connected to the substrate and the electronic device, and the conductive clip comprises a plate portion attached to the device top side with a conductive material, a clip connecting portion connected to the plate portion and the lead, and channels disposed to extend inward from a lower side of the plate portion above the device top side. The conductive material is disposed within the channels. In another example, the plate portion comprises a lower side having a first sloped profile in a first cross-sectional view such that an outer section of the first sloped profile towards a first edge portion of the plate portion is spaced away from the electronic device further than an inner section of the first sloped profile towards a central portion of the plate portion. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/431,691 filed on Jun. 4, 2019 and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 19,910,294 on Feb. 2, 2021, the contents of which in itsentirety are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates, in general, to electronics, and moreparticularly, to semiconductor packages, structures thereof, and methodsof forming semiconductor packages.

Prior semiconductor packages and methods for forming semiconductorpackages are inadequate, for example resulting in excess cost, poorthermal performance, decreased reliability, relatively low performance,or package sizes that are too large. More particularly, some packagedsemiconductor devices include semiconductor devices, such as powerdiscrete metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET)devices that use conductive clip structures to electrically connect acurrent carrying electrode to one or more conductive leads on aconductive substrate structure. Typically, a solder attach layer hasbeen used to attach a flat plate-like surface of the conductive clipstructure to the semiconductor device. This technique has had solderwettability issues, which has resulted in incomplete solder joints orsolder voids. Such issues create reliability and yield issues. One priorapproach to improve solder wettability has been to add bumps to thebonding surface of the plate-like surface of the conductive clipstructure; however, such bumps have not resolved the incomplete solderjoints or solder void issues.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have a package structure and a methodthat provides a packaged electronic device that overcomes theshortcomings of the prior art. It is also desirable for the structureand method to be easily incorporated into manufacturing flows,accommodate multiple die interconnect schemes, and to be cost effective.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present description includes, among other features, a packagedelectronic device structure and associated methods that comprise aconductive clip having features that improve solder wettabililty. Insome examples, the features include a shaped plate portion that attachesto the solder layer. In some examples, the shape includes a convexshape, sloped profile, or sloped shape with respect to the solder layersuch that edge portions of the plate portion are vertically spaced to agreater extent than a center portion of the plate portion in across-sectional view. In other examples, the features includethrough-holes in the plate portion, channel regions, combinationsthereof including combinations with the shaped or sloped profile plateportion. The features help facilitate the removal of gas(es), such asair generated during the solder reflow process thereby improving solderwettability and reducing the formation of solder voids. In addition,when the features include through-holes, the solder migrates up into thethrough-holes to provide an anchoring effect for the conductive clip.Further, the features reduce reliability issues associated with solderoverflowing from the connection area of the semiconductor die, whichimproves reliability.

More particularly, in one example, a semiconductor device comprises asubstrate including a die pad having a die pad top side and an opposingdie pad bottom side, and a lead spaced apart from the die pad. Asemiconductor die is attached to the die pad top side, wherein thesemiconductor die comprises a die top side, and a die bottom sideopposite to die top side connected to the die pad top side. A conductiveclip is connected to the semiconductor die and the substrate, whereinthe conductive clip comprises a plate portion attached to the die topside with a conductive material, and a clip connecting portion coupledto the plate portion and the lead. The plate portion comprises a lowerside having a first sloped profile in a first cross-sectional view suchthat an outer section of the first sloped profile towards a first edgeportion of the plate portion is spaced away from the semiconductor diefurther than an inner section of the first sloped profile towards acentral portion of the plate portion. In an additional example, thelower side of the plate portion comprises channels that intersect eachother, and an upper surface of one of the channels comprises the firstsloped profile.

In another example, a packaged electronic device includes a substratecomprising a die pad having a die pad top side and an opposing die padbottom side, and a lead spaced apart from the die pad. An electronicdevice is attached to the die pad top side, wherein the electronicdevice comprises a device top side, and a device bottom side connectedto the die pad top side. A conductive clip is connected to the substrateand the electronic device, wherein the conductive clip comprises a plateportion attached to the device top side with a conductive material, aclip connecting portion coupled to the plate portion and the lead, andchannels disposed to extend inward from a lower side of the plateportion above the device top side, wherein the conductive material isdisposed within the channels.

In a further example, a method of forming a packaged electronic deviceincludes providing a substrate comprising a die pad having a die pad topside and an opposing die pad bottom side, and a lead spaced apart fromthe die pad. The method includes attaching an electronic device to thedie pad top side, wherein the electronic device comprises a device topside, and a device bottom side opposite to the device top side connectedto the die pad top side. The method includes attaching a conductive clipto the electronic device and the substrate, wherein the conductive clipcomprises a first portion attached to the device top side with aconductive material, and a second portion coupled to the first portionand the lead. The first portion comprises one or more of a first slopedprofile comprising an outer section towards a first edge portion of thefirst portion and an inner section towards a central portion of thefirst portion, with outer section spaced away from the electronic devicefurther than the inner section, or channels disposed inward from a lowerside of the first portion above the device top side.

Other examples are included in the present disclosure. Such examples maybe found in the figures, in the claims, and/or in the description of thepresent disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic device ofthe present description;

FIG. 2A illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the packagedelectronic device of FIG. 1 taken along reference line 2A-2A;

FIG. 2B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the packagedelectronic device of FIG. 1 taken along reference line 2′-2′ inaccordance with a first example;

FIG. 2C illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the packageelectronic device of FIG. 1 taken along reference line 2′-2′ inaccordance with a second example;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic device ofthe present description;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the packagedelectronic device of FIG. 3 taken along reference line 4′-4′;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic device ofthe present description;

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the packagedelectronic device of FIG. 5 taken along reference line 6′-6′;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic device ofthe present description;

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the packagedelectronic device of FIG. 7 taken along reference line 8′-8′;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic device ofthe present description;

FIG. 10 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the packagedelectronic device of FIG. 9 taken along reference line 10′-10′;

FIG. 11 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic device ofthe present description;

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the packagedelectronic device of FIG. 11 taken along reference line 12′-12′;

FIG. 13 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic device ofthe present description;

FIG. 14 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the packagedelectronic device of FIG. 13 taken along reference line 14′-14′;

FIG. 15 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic device ofthe present description;

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the packagedelectronic device of FIG. 15 taken along reference line 16′-16′;

FIG. 17 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic device ofthe present description;

FIG. 18 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the packagedelectronic device of FIG. 17 taken along reference line 18′-18′; and

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 900 formanufacturing packaged electronic device structures in accordance withthe present description.

For simplicity and clarity of the illustration, elements in the figuresare not necessarily drawn to scale, and the same reference numbers indifferent figures denote the same elements. Additionally, descriptionsand details of well-known steps and elements are omitted for simplicityof the description. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In addition,the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of thedisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises,comprising, includes, and/or including, when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that,although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describevarious members, elements, regions, layers and/or sections, thesemembers, elements, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limitedby these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one member,element, region, layer and/or section from another. Thus, for example, afirst member, a first element, a first region, a first layer and/or afirst section discussed below could be termed a second member, a secondelement, a second region, a second layer and/or a second section withoutdeparting from the teachings of the present disclosure. Reference to“one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structureor characteristic described in connection with the embodiment isincluded in at least one example of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one example” or “in an example” invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same example, but in some cases it may. Furthermore,the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combinedin any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art, in one or more example embodiments. Additionally, the termwhile means a certain action occurs at least within some portion of aduration of the initiating action. The use of word about, approximatelyor substantially means a value of an element is expected to be close toa state value or position. However, as is well known in the art thereare always minor variances preventing values or positions from beingexactly stated. Unless specified otherwise, as used herein the word overor on includes orientations, placements, or relations where thespecified elements can be in direct or indirect physical contact. Theterm “or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “or”.As an example, “x or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x),(y), (x, y)}. As another example, “x, y, or z” means any element of theseven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. Itis further understood that the examples illustrated and describedhereinafter suitably may have examples and/or may be practiced in theabsence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of an example packaged electronicdevice structure 10, such as a packaged semiconductor device 10 inaccordance with the present description. The example is illustrated as apower SO8 or SON type packaged semiconductor device structure, but thedescription is not limited to this type of package and is suitable forother types of packages. FIG. 2A illustrates a partial cross-sectionalview of packaged electronic device structure 10 taken along referenceline 2A-2A of FIG. 1 . In the example presented in FIG. 1 , packagedelectronic device structure 10 comprises a substrate 11, which caninclude a die pad 110 and conductive leads 112; an electronic component16, such as an electronic device 16, semiconductor die 16, or asemiconductor device 16; a conductive clip structure 17 or conductiveclip 17; a conductive interconnect structure 21; and an enclosurestructure 36, such as a package body 36. Package body 36 is presented inFIG. 1 as transparent to disclose the internal contents of packagedelectronic device structure 10. In the present example and as presentedin FIG. 2A, semiconductor device 16 is attached to die pad 11 with anattachment material 18 and conductive clip 17 is attached tosemiconductor device 16 and one or more conductive leads 112 with anattachment material 19. Conductive interconnect structure 21electrically connects another portion of semiconductor device 16 toanother one of conductive leads 112.

Substrate 11, conductive clip 17, conductive interconnect structure 21,and package body 36 can be referred to as a semiconductor package 190,and semiconductor package 190 can provide protection for portionssemiconductor device 16 from external elements and/or environmentalexposure. In addition, semiconductor package 190 can provide electricalcoupling from external electrical components (not shown) to conductiveclip 17, conductive interconnect structure 21, and semiconductor device16.

As presented in FIGS. 1 and 2A, substrate 11 can comprise a leadframe 11having die pad 110 and conductive leads 112 spaced apart from die pad110. In some examples, conductive leads 112 are disposed along one sideof die pad 110. In other examples, conductive leads 112 can be disposedalong more than one side of die pad 110. Die pad 110 has a die pad topside or surface 132 and an opposing die pad bottom side or surface 131.In addition, each conductive lead 112 has a lead top side or surface andan opposing lead bottom side or surface. In some examples, substrate 11comprises a conductive material. In some examples, substrate 11 is acopper-based leadframe (for example, a leadframe comprisingcopper/iron/phosphorous; 99.8/0.01/0.025), a copper alloy-basedleadframe (for example, a leadframe comprising copper/chromium/tin/zinc;99.0/0.25/0.22), or an alloy 42-based leadframe (for example, aleadframe comprising iron/nickel; 58.0/42.0). In other examples,substrate 11 can comprise other conductive or non-conductive materials,which may be further plated (in whole or in part) with one or moreconductive layers.

In the present example, semiconductor device 16 is mounted adjacent toor atop die pad top side 132 of die pad 110 using attachment material18, which can comprise a thermally conductive and electricallyconductive material, or a thermally conductive and electricallynon-conductive material. In some examples, attachment material 18comprises an epoxy-type die attach material. In other examples,attachment material 18 can be a solder material, such as a solder pasteor other materials as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.Attachment material 18 typically functions to both provide mechanicalfixation of semiconductor device 16 to die pad 110 and to dissipate heatgenerated by semiconductor device 16. In some examples, attachmentmaterial 18 can provide an electrical path from die pad 110 tosemiconductor device 16.

Semiconductor device 16 or semiconductor die 16 includes a device or dietop side 167, an opposing device or bottom side 168, and a device or diesidewall 169 located between device top side 167 and device bottom side168. In the present embodiment, die sidewall 169 defines a die perimeterfor semiconductor device 16. In some examples, device top side 167 canbe defined by a conductive layer 165. In other examples, device top side167 can be defined by one or more dielectric layers and one or moreconductive layers, which are interconnected to device regions (notshown) disposed within and/or on semiconductor device 16. In someexamples, device bottom side 168 can be defined by a conductive layer(not shown). Semiconductor device 16 can be a power semiconductordevice, such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor(MOSFET) device, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) device, abipolar transistor device, a diode device, other power devices, or othersemiconductor devices as known to those of ordinary skilled in the art.In the present example, semiconductor device 16 is illustrated as anMOSFET device and conductive layer 165 can be configured as a currentcarrying electrode, such as a source electrode. Semiconductor device 16can further include a control electrode 24 electrically connected to atleast one of conductive leads 112 using conductive connective structure21, such as a conductive wire 21 (illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1 )provided using, for example, wire bonding techniques. Conductive wire 21can comprise copper, gold, aluminum, or other conductive materials asknown to one of ordinary skill in the art. In other examples, conductiveconnective structure 21 can comprise a ribbon bond or other connectivestructures as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Conductiveconnect structure 21 functions to transmit electrical signals to andfrom semiconductor device 16.

Conductive clip 17 is attached adjacent to, atop, or to device top side167 of semiconductor device 16 using attachment material 19, whichcomprises a conductive material. In some examples, attachment material19 is a conductive solder, such as a solder paste, which can be a blendof micro-fine spherical solder powder, flux, and a binder. Conductiveclip 17 can comprise copper, a copper alloy, or other materials known tothose skilled in the art. Conductive clip 17 comprises a plate portion170, a first portion 170, or a clip top portion 170, and a clip tailportion 172, a second portion 172, or clip connecting portion 172connected to plate portion 170. Clip connecting portion 172 isconfigured to connect to one or more of conductive leads 112 to providefor an electrical connection between semiconductor device 16 and the oneor more conductive leads 112. In some examples, plate portion 170 andclip connecting portion 172 are an integrated structure formed from asingle piece of conductive material.

In accordance with the present description and the present example,conductive clip 17 comprises through-holes 171 disposed through plateportion 170 of conductive clip 17. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, a lowersurface 170C or lower side 170C of plate portion 170 further comprises asloped profile 176, a sloped shape 176 including a convex shape 176, ora bowed shape 176 in a first cross-sectional view 101 that is generallyparallel to the direction that conductive leads 112 extend away from diepad 110. In some examples, sloped profile 176 is configured such that anouter section of sloped profile 176 towards one or more edge portions170A of plate portion 170 is vertically spaced away from top side 167 ofsemiconductor device 16 further than an inner section of sloped profile176 towards center portion 170B of plate portion 170. In some examples,a top surface 170D or top side 170D of plate portion 170 can follow orcan be similar to the profile of lower side 170C in one or both of thecross-sectional views 101 and 201. In other examples, top side 170D canhave a flat profile in both cross-sectional views 101 and 201.

In accordance with the present description, the configuration of plateportion 170 promotes an increase in the amount of attachment material 19or solder material 19 between plate portion 170 and semiconductor device16 thereby improving bond strength. In addition, during the process toreflow attachment material 19, the configuration of plate portion 170promotes the removal of gas(es) from between plate portion 170 andsemiconductor device 16 thereby improving solder wettability andreducing solder voids. Further, conductive material 19 flows intothrough-holes 171 during processing thereby providing an anchoringeffect for conductive clip 17. Moreover, the configuration of plateportion 170 further reduces the overflow of conductive material 19 fromthe connection area thereby reducing the possibility of electricalshorting issues. The above effects improve the yields and reliability ofpackaged electronic device structure 10.

In some examples, conductive clip 17 further includes one or more bumpstructures 15, which can protrude outward from lower side 170C of plateportion 170 towards die top side 167 of semiconductor device 16. Bumpstructure 15 functions as a stand-off or spacer to provide a verticalgap between semiconductor device 16 and plate portion 170 of conductiveclip 17. In some examples, a portion of attachment material 19 can bedisposed on a lower surface of bump structure 15 and semiconductordevice 16.

In some examples, package body 36 encapsulates semiconductor device 16,conductive clip 17, conductive connective structure 21, and at leastportions of substrate 11. In the present example, portions of conductiveleads 112 are exposed to the outside of package body 36 to facilitateelectrical connections to a next level of assembly, such as a printedcircuit board. In some examples, die pad bottom side 131 of die pad 110can also be exposed to the outside of package body 36 as presented inFIG. 2A. In some examples, package body 36 can be polymer basedcomposite material, such as epoxy resin with filler, epoxy acrylate withfiller, or polymer with proper filler. Package body 36 comprises anon-conductive and environmentally protective material that protectsconductive clip 17, conductive interconnect structure 21, andsemiconductor device 16 from external elements and contaminants. Packagebody 36 may be formed using paste printing, compressive molding,transfer molding, over-molding, liquid encapsulant molding, vacuumlamination, other suitable applicator, or other processes as known tothose of skill in the art. In some embodiments, package body 36 is anepoxy mold compound (“EMC”) and can be formed using transfer orinjection molding techniques.

FIG. 2B illustrates a partial cross-sectional of package electronicdevice 10 taken along reference line 2′-2′ of FIG. 1 in accordance witha first example. In the example presented in FIG. 2B, lower side 170C ofplate portion 170 comprises a substantially flat profile 186 in a secondcross-sectional view 201 that is generally perpendicular to thedirection that conductive leads 112 extend away from die pad 110. Thatis, in the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B, lower side 170C of plate portion170 comprises a sloped profile 176 in the first cross-section view 101as presented in FIG. 2A and comprises a generally flat profile 186 inthe second cross-sectional view 201 of FIG. 2B. In some examples ofpackaged electronic device structure 10, top side 170D of plate portion170 can follow or can be similar to the profile of lower side 170C inone or both of the cross-sectional views 101 and 201.

FIG. 2C illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of packagedelectronic device structure 10 taken along reference line 2′-2′ of FIG.1 in accordance with a second example. In the example presented in FIG.2C, lower side 170C of plate portion 170 comprises a sloped profile 187in the second cross-section view 201. That is, in the example of FIGS.2A and 2C, lower side 170C of plate portion 170 comprises a slopedprofile 176 in the first cross-section view 101 as presented in FIG. 2Aand comprises a sloped profile 187 in the second cross-sectional view201 of FIG. 2C. In some examples, sloped profile 187 can be similar tosloped provide 176. In some examples of packaged electronic devicestructure 10, top side 170D of plate portion 170 can follow or can besimilar to the profile of lower side 170C in one or both of thecross-sectional views 101 and 201.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of an example packaged electronicdevice structure 30, such as a packaged semiconductor device 30 inaccordance with the present description. FIG. 4 illustrates a partialcross-sectional view of packaged electronic device structure 30 takenalong reference line 4′-4′ of FIG. 3 . Packaged electronic devicestructure 30 is similar in some respects to packaged electronic devicestructure 10, and only the differences will be presented herein. In someexamples, plate portion 170 comprises a plurality of through-holes 171distributed in columns where adjacent columns can be provided in anoffset configuration. In some examples, through-holes 171 are rounded inshape and can have similar or different diameters with respect to eachother. As presented in FIG. 3 , plate portion 170 is further providedwith a plurality of bump structures 15 that are proximate to edges ofplate portion 170. In some examples, through-holes 171 are distributedinward from bump structures 15 as generally illustrated in FIG. 3 . Aspresented in FIG. 4 , in some examples lower side 170C plate portion 170comprises substantially flat profile 186 in the second cross-sectionalview 201. In some examples, lower side 170C of plate portion 170 canhave sloped profile 187 as presented in FIG. 2C in the secondcross-sectional view 201. In other examples, conductive plate 170 canhave sloped profile 176 in the first cross-sectional view 101 aspresented in FIG. 2A. In some examples of packaged electronic devicestructure 30, top side 170D of plate portion 170 can follow or can besimilar to the profile of lower side 170C in one or both of thecross-sectional views 101 and 201. The features of conductive clip 17 ofpackaged electronic device structure 30 have similar benefits asdescribed previously with packaged electronic device structure 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of an example packaged electronicdevice structure 50, such as a packaged semiconductor device 50 inaccordance with the present description. FIG. 6 illustrates a partialcross-sectional view of packaged electronic device structure 50 takenalong reference line 6′-6′ of FIG. 5 . Packaged electronic devicestructure 50 is similar in some respects to packaged electronic devicestructure 10, and only the differences will be presented herein. In someexamples, plate portion 170 comprises a plurality of through-holes 171distributed in an N×M matrix configuration, such as the 5×8 matrixpresented in FIG. 5 . In some examples, through-holes 171 are rounded inshape and can have similar or different diameters with respect to eachother. As presented in FIG. 5 , plate portion 170 is further providedwith a plurality of bump structures 15 that are proximate to edges ofplate portion 170. In some examples, through-holes 171 are distributedinward from bump structure 15 as generally illustrated in FIG. 5 . Inaccordance with the present description, some of through-holes 171 aredisposed so as to enclose portions of each bump structure 15 asgenerally illustrated in FIG. 5 . Here, through-holes 171 can be deposedproximate to four corners of each bump structure 15. As presented inFIG. 6 , in some examples plate portion 170 comprises substantially flatprofile 186 in the second cross-sectional view 201. In some examples,plate portion 170 can have sloped profile 187 as presented in FIG. 2C inthe second cross-sectional view 201. In other examples, plate portion170 can have sloped profile 176 in the first cross-sectional view 101 aspresented in FIG. 2A. In some examples of packaged electronic devicestructure 50, top side 170D of plate portion 170 can follow or can besimilar to the profile of lower side 170C in one or both of thecross-sectional views 101 and 201. The features of conductive clip 17 ofpackaged electronic device structure 50 have similar benefits asdescribed previously with packaged electronic device structure 10.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top plan view of an example packaged electronicdevice structure 70, such as a packaged semiconductor device 70 inaccordance with the present description. FIG. 8 illustrates a partialcross-sectional view of packaged electronic device structure 70 takenalong reference line 8′-8′ of FIG. 7 . Packaged electronic devicestructure 70 is similar in some respects to packaged electronic devicestructure 10, and only the differences will be presented herein. In thepresent example, plate portion 170 comprises a plurality of channels 179that extend vertically and horizontally across plate portion 170extending inward from lower side 170C of plate portion 170. In someexamples, channels 179 do not extend all the way through plate portion170 to provide a waffle-like pattern. As presented in FIG. 8 , in someexamples plate portion 170 comprises substantially flat profile 186 inthe second cross-sectional view 201. In some examples, lower side 170Cof plate portion 170 can have sloped profile 187 as presented in FIG. 2Cin the second cross-sectional view 201. In other examples, plate portion170 can have sloped profile 176 in the first cross-sectional view 101 aspresented in FIG. 2A. In some examples of packaged electronic devicestructure 70, top side 170D of plate portion 170 can follow or can besimilar to the profile of lower side 170C in one or both of thecross-sectional views 101 and 201. The features of conductive clip 17 ofpackaged electronic device structure 70 have similar benefits asdescribed previously with packaged electronic device structure 10.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top plan view of an example packaged electronicdevice structure 90, such as a packaged semiconductor device 90 inaccordance with the present description. FIG. 10 illustrates a partialcross-sectional view of packaged electronic device structure 90 takenalong reference line 10′-10′ of FIG. 9 . Packaged electronic devicestructure 90 is similar in some respects to packaged electronic devicestructure 10 and packaged electronic device structure 70, and only thedifferences will be presented herein. In the present example, plateportion 170 comprises a plurality of channels 179 that extend verticallyand horizontally across plate portion 170 extending inward from lowerside 170C of plate portion 170. In addition, plate portion 170 comprisesthrough-holes 171 disposed above some of channels 179 such that portionsof channels 179 are connected to the outside through top side 170D ofplate portion 170. In some examples, channels 179 do not extend all theway through plate portion 170 to provide a waffle-like pattern. In someexamples, through-holes 171 are disposed above where a verticallyoriented channel 179 crosses a horizontally oriented channel 179 asgenerally illustrated in FIG. 9 .

As presented in FIG. 10 , in some examples plate portion 170 comprisessubstantially flat profile 186 in the second cross-sectional view 201.In some examples, lower side 170A plate portion 170 can have slopedprofile 187 as presented in FIG. 2C in the second cross-sectional view201. In other examples, plate portion 170 can have sloped profile 176 inthe first cross-sectional view 101 as presented in FIG. 2A. In someexamples of packaged electronic device structure 90, top side 170D ofplate portion 170 can follow or can be similar to the profile of lowerside 170C in one or both of the cross-sectional views 101 and 201. Thefeatures of conductive clip 17 of packaged electronic device structure90 have similar benefits as described previously with packagedelectronic device structure 10.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic devicestructure 111, such as a packaged semiconductor device 111 in accordancewith the present description. FIG. 12 illustrates a partialcross-sectional view of packaged electronic device structure 111 takenalong reference line 12′-12′ of FIG. 11 . Packaged electronic devicestructure 111 is similar in some respects to packaged electronic devicestructure 10, and only the differences will be presented herein. Inpackaged electronic device structure 111, conductive clip 17 comprises asingle through-hole 171 substantially centrally located within plateportion 170. In addition, through-hole 171 is configured having a slopedsidewall shape 191 that provides through-hole 171 with a conical shape192. In the present example, lower side 170C of plate portion 170comprises a sloped profile 176 in the first cross-sectional view 101(see e.g., FIG. 2A) and a sloped profile 187 in the secondcross-sectional view 102 as presented in FIG. 12 .

In some examples of packaged electronic device structure 111, top side170D of plate portion 170 can follow or can be similar to the profile oflower side 170C in one or both of the cross-sectional views 101 and 201.The features of conductive clip 17 of packaged electronic devicestructure 111 have similar benefits as described previously withpackaged electronic device structure 10. In addition, conical shape 192provides for further anchoring of conductive clip 17 to semiconductordevice 16.

FIG. 13 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic devicestructure 130, such as a packaged semiconductor device 130 in accordancewith the present description. FIG. 14 illustrates a partialcross-sectional view of packaged electronic device structure 130 takenalong reference line 14′-14′ of FIG. 13 . Packaged electronic devicestructure 130 is similar in some respects to packaged electronic devicestructure 10 and package electronic structure device 70, and only thedifferences will be presented herein. In the present example, conductiveclip 17 comprises a plurality of channels 179 extending inward fromlower side 170C of plate portion 170. In some examples, the plurality ofchannels 179 comprises a star-like pattern with all channels 179 meetingin a substantially centrally located portion 179A. In some examples, afirst portion of lower side 170C of plate portion defines the top orupper surface of the plurality of channels 179 and comprises slopedprofile 187 as presented in FIG. 14 . Portions 170E of plate portion 170are disposed between the plurality of channels 179 and a second portionof lower sides 170C of portions 170E can comprise substantially flatprofile 186 as presented, for example, in FIG. 2B. Although eightchannels 179 are presented in FIG. 13 , it is understood that a largeror smaller number of channels 179 can be used. The features ofconductive clip 17 of packaged electronic device structure 130 havesimilar benefits as described previously with packaged electronic devicestructure 10.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic devicestructure 150, such as a packaged semiconductor device 150 in accordancewith the present description. FIG. 16 illustrates a partialcross-sectional view of packaged electronic device structure 150 takenalong reference line 16′-16′ of FIG. 15 . Packaged electronic devicestructure 150 is similar in some respects to packaged electronic devicestructure 10 and package electronic device structure 130, and only thedifferences will be presented herein. In the present example, conductiveclip 17 further comprises a through-hole 171 disposed above portion 179Aof plate portion 170 where channels 179 meet. The features of conductiveclip 17 of packaged electronic device structure 150 have similarbenefits as described previously with packaged electronic devicestructure 10.

FIG. 17 illustrates a top plan view of a packaged electronic devicestructure 270, such as a packaged semiconductor device 270. FIG. 18illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of packaged electronic devicestructure 270 taken along reference line 18′-18′ of FIG. 17 . Packagedelectronic device structure 270 is similar in some respects to packagedelectronic device structure 150, packaged electronic device structure130, and packaged electronic device structure 10, and only thedifferences will be presented herein. In the present example, channels179A comprise a shape in the top plan view that fans-out fromthrough-hole 171 to the edges of plate portion 170. More particularly,each channel 179 has a width 1791 proximate to through-hole 171 that issmaller than a width 1792 proximate to edges of plate portion 170. Thefeatures of conductive clip 17 of packaged electronic device structure270 have similar benefits as described previously with packagedelectronic device structure 10.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 900 formanufacturing packaged electronic device structures in accordance withthe present description. In some examples, the packaged electronicdevice structures of method 900 can be similar to one or more ofpackaged electronic device structures 10, 30, 50, 70, 90, 111, 130,and/or 270 as presented in FIGS. 1-18 herein, or variations orcombinations thereof.

Block S910 of method 900 comprises providing a substrate, such as aleadframe having a die pad and leads. For instance, the substrate can besimilar to substrate 11 having die pad 110 and conductive leads 112 aspresented in FIGS. 1-18 . In some examples, the substrate is acopper-based leadframe (for example, a leadframe comprisingcopper/iron/phosphorous; 99.8/0.01/0.025), a copper alloy-basedleadframe (for example, a leadframe comprising copper/chromium/tin/zinc;99.0/0.25/0.22), or an alloy 42-based leadframe (for example, aleadframe comprising iron/nickel; 58.0/42.0). In other examples, thesubstrate can comprise other conductive or non-conductive materials,which may be further plated (in whole or in part) with one or moreconductive layers. The substrate can be formed using masking and etchingtechniques, stamping techniques, or other techniques as known to one ofordinary skill in the art.

Block S920 of method 900 comprises attaching an electronic component toa surface of the substrate with an attachment material. For instance,the electronic component can be similar to semiconductor device 16,which can be attached to a die pad top side 132 of die pad 110 withattachment material 18 as presented in FIGS. 1-18 . The attachmentmaterial can comprise a thermally conductive and electrically conductivematerial, or a thermally conductive and electrically non-conductivematerial. In some examples, the attachment material comprises anepoxy-type die attach material. In other examples, the attachmentmaterial can be a solder material, such as a solder paste or othermaterials as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Block S930 of method 900 comprises attaching a conductive clip to theelectronic device to provide a sub-assembly structure. For instance, theconductive clip can be similar to conductive clips 17 presented in FIGS.1-18 having one or more of the described features that improve theattachment characteristics of conductive clip 17 to semiconductor device16. Such features include, for example, one or more of sloped profiles,such as sloped profiles 176, 187 presented in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 12, 14, 16,and 18 ; through-holes, such as through-holes 171 presented in FIGS. 1,2A-2C, 3-6, 8-12, and 15-18 , channels, such as channels 179 presentedin FIGS. 7-10 and 13-18 ; and/or conically shaped through-holes 171,such as conical shape 192 presented in FIGS. 11 and 12 . These featurescan be combined with one or more bump structures, such as bumpstructures 15 as presented in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 .

In some examples, the conductive clip is attached to the electronicdevice using a solder material. The solder material can be deposited ona surface of the electronic device and then the conductive clip isplaced into contact with the solder material to provide a sub-assemblystructure.

Block S940 of method 900 comprises exposing the sub-assembly structureto an elevated to temperature to reflow the conductive material therebyforming a bond between the conductive clip and the electronic device. Inaccordance with the present description, the feature(s) of theconductive clip (including those presented in FIGS. 1-18 ) promote(s) anincrease in the amount of conductive material or solder material betweenthe conductive clip and the electronic device thereby improving bondstrength. In addition, during the process to reflow conductive material,the features of the conductive clip (including those presented in FIGS.1-18 ) promote the removal of gas(es) or voids from between conductiveclip and the electronic device thereby improving solder wettability.Further, the conductive material flows into the through-holes duringprocessing thereby providing an anchoring effect for conductive clip tothe electronic device Moreover, the conductive clip further reduces theoverflow of conductive material from the connection area therebyreducing the possibility of electrical shorting issues. The aboveeffects improve the yields and reliability of the packaged electronicdevice.

Block S950 of method 900 comprises attaching a conductive connectivestructure to the substrate and the electronic device. For instance, aconductive connective structure, such as conductive wire 21 can beattached to pad 24 on semiconductor device 16 and to one of conductiveleads 112 as generally presented and described herein. The conductivewire can be provided using wire bonding techniques with wire comprisingcopper, gold, aluminum, or other conductive materials as known to one ofordinary skill in the art.

Block S960 of method 900 comprises encapsulating the sub-assembly with apackage body. For instance, the package body can be similar to packagebody 36 presented and described herein. In some examples, the packagebody can be polymer based composite material, such as epoxy resin withfiller, epoxy acrylate with filler, or polymer with proper filler. Thepackage body comprises a non-conductive and environmentally protectivematerial that protects the conductive clip, the conductive interconnectstructure, and the electronic device from external elements andcontaminants. The package body may be formed using paste printing,compressive molding, transfer molding, over-molding, liquid encapsulantmolding, vacuum lamination, other suitable applicator, or otherprocesses as known to those of skill in the art. In some examples, thepackage body is an epoxy mold compound (“EMC”) and can be formed usingtransfer or injection molding techniques.

In summary, a packaged electronic device structure and associatedmethods have been described that comprise a conductive clip having oneor more features that improve the bond integrity between the conductiveclip and an electronic device. In some examples, the conductive clipcomprises a sloped profile in cross-sectional view. In other examples,the conductive clip comprises a plurality of channels extending inwardfrom a lower side of the conductive clip. In some examples, the channelshave a fan-out pattern and can also have sloped shapes incross-sectional view. In further examples, the conductive clip cancomprise one or more through-holes. In still further examples, thethrough-hole can be of a conical shape to further provide an anchoringfeature. The features can be combined with each other. The conductiveclips can be incorporated into standard manufacturing flows to providecost effective integration.

While the subject matter of the invention is described with specificexample steps and example embodiments, the foregoing drawings anddescriptions thereof depict only typical examples of the subject matter,and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope. It isevident that many alternatives and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

As the claims hereinafter reflect, inventive aspects may lie in lessthan all features of a single foregoing disclosed example. Thus, thehereinafter expressed claims are hereby expressly incorporated into thisDetailed Description of the Drawings, with each claim standing on itsown as a separate example of the invention. Furthermore, while someexamples described herein include some, but not other features includedin other examples, combinations of features of different examples aremeant to be within the scope of the invention and meant to formdifferent examples as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor device, comprising: a substratecomprising: a lead; a semiconductor component comprising: a componenttop side; and a component bottom side opposite to the component topside; and a conductive clip coupled to the semiconductor component andthe substrate, wherein the conductive clip comprises: a plate portionattached to the component top side with a conductive material; and aclip connecting portion coupled to the plate portion and coupled to thelead, wherein: the plate portion comprises through-holes extending froman upper side of the plate portion to a lower side of the plate portion;the plate portion further comprises stand-offs extending from the lowerside of the plate portion towards the component top side; the lower sideof the plate portion comprises a first profile in a firstcross-sectional view; the upper side of the plate portion comprises asecond profile in the first cross-sectional view; and the stand-offscomprise a first standoff proximate to a first corner of the plateportion and a second stand-off proximate to second corner of the plateportion.
 2. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein: thethrough-holes are distributed in columns within the plate portion. 3.The semiconductor device of claim 2, wherein: adjacent columns areoffset with respect to each other.
 4. The semiconductor device of claim1, wherein: the through-holes are distributed inward from thestand-offs.
 5. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein: a portionof the through-holes are disposed within the plate portion so as toenclose portions of the stand-offs.
 6. The semiconductor device of claim1, wherein: a portion of the through-holes are disposed so as to abutthe stand-offs.
 7. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein: thestand-offs are integral with the plate portion.
 8. The semiconductordevice of claim 1, wherein: the first profile comprises a substantiallyflat profile.
 9. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein: the firstprofile and the second profile are different.
 10. The semiconductordevice of claim 1, wherein: the conductive material surrounds sidesurfaces of the stand-offs and extends within the through-holes.
 11. Thesemiconductor device of claim 1, wherein: the first profile comprises asloped profile; and the conductive material contacts the lower side ofthe plate portion and comprises a thickness that laterally varies acrossthe semiconductor component and conforms to the sloped profile in thefirst cross-sectional view.
 12. The semiconductor device of claim 1,wherein: the stand-offs comprise a third stand-off proximate to a thirdcorner of the plate portion and a fourth stand-off proximate to a fourthcorner of the plate portion.
 13. The semiconductor device of claim 1,wherein: the through-holes are distributed in an N×M matrixconfiguration.
 14. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein: thethrough-holes have different dimensions.
 15. A packaged electronicdevice, comprising: a substrate comprising: a lead; an electronic devicecomprising: a device top side; and a device bottom side opposite to thedevice top side; and a conductive clip coupled to the substrate and theelectronic device, wherein the conductive clip comprises: a plateportion attached to the device top side with a conductive material; anda clip connecting portion coupled to the plate portion and coupled tothe lead, wherein: the plate portion comprises through-holes extendingfrom an upper side of the plate portion to a lower side of the plateportion; the plate portion comprises stand-offs extending from the lowerside of the plate portion towards device die top side; and at least twoof the stand-offs are disposed proximate to opposing edges of the plateportion.
 16. The packaged electronic device of claim 15, furthercomprising: channels disposed to extend inward from a lower side of theplate portion above the device top side, wherein: the conductivematerial is disposed within the channels; and the channels extend onlypartially into the plate portion so that the upper side of the plateportion extends over the channels.
 17. The packaged electronic device ofclaim 16, wherein: at least some through-holes are disposed where pairsof channels intersect.
 18. A packaged electronic device, comprising: asubstrate comprising: a lead; an electronic device comprising: a devicetop side; and a device bottom side opposite to the device top side; anda conductive clip coupled to the electronic device and the substrate,wherein the conductive clip comprises: a first portion attached to thedevice top side with a conductive material; and a second portion coupledto the first portion and coupled to the lead, wherein the first portioncomprises one or more of: a first sloped profile comprising an outersection towards a first edge portion of the first portion and an innersection towards a central portion of the first portion, with the outersection spaced away from the electronic device further than the innersection, wherein the conductive material contacts a lower side of thefirst portion of the conductive clip and comprises a thickness thatlaterally varies across the electronic device and conforms to the firstsloped profile; or channels disposed to extend partially inward from alower side of the first portion above the device top side, wherein thefirst portion of the conductive clip comprises a first portion upperside that extends over the channels.
 19. The packaged electronic deviceof claim 18, wherein: the conductive clip comprises the first slopedprofile.
 20. The packaged electronic device of claim 18, wherein: theconductive clip comprises the channels.